Hard-luck QB Chad Pennington tore an ACL in a pickup basketball game and will undergo surgery next week, according to an ESPN.com report. Pennington's agent, Tom Condon, said in a news release Thursday that Pennington will have the operation April 7 and well-known surgeon Dr. James Andrews will perform it. The former Jets and Dolphins quarterback is now a free agent.

The Dolphins are interested in Arkansas tight end D.J. Williams, according to league sources. Much of the attention surrounding Miami's visit to Arkansas was centered about quarterback Ryan Mallet, but Williams was the main reason for the team's presence.

Two members of the Dolphins, quarterback Chad Henne and offensive lineman Jake Long, have organized team workouts scheduled to begin Monday. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel first reported the story. Players don't expect the participation level to be very high as many have been advised by their agents to skip the workouts and train with professionals at full-service facilities. "If a guy works out right now and suffers an injury, he's not covered by his NFL contract during this lockout. So if you get injured, the team doesn't have to pay your salary next year," agent Drew Rosenhaus said. "It's not a sanctioned activity, so if a guy goes out there and blows his knee, the team can say they've decided not to pay your contract this year. It's very risky."

Ryan Mallet will meet with the Bengals and Dolphins this week, according to sources. Mallet will hold a private workout with Miami and then visit with Cincinnati for two days. Many believe Mallet is the best pure passer available in this spring's NFL Draft. He threw for 3,869 yards, 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season for Arkansas.

Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett is scheduled to visit the Panthers next month, according to a league source. Carolina holds the top pick in April's NFL Draft. Mallet is also scheduled to meet with the Dolphins, Bengals, Seahawks, Vikings, Titans and 49ers between now and the draft.

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano says quarterback Chad Henne will face stiff competition for the starting position entering next season. "I realize that (with) the quarterback position, everybody wants to have it (happen) yesterday, and that's the problem. It really is, but it comes with the turf," Sparano said. "You have to go back through the 900-and-something snaps that this guy has played and (ask), did he show progress? Did he get better in different areas? Yeah, he did. Now, did he stay the same, or not get better in some areas? Maybe that's true, too. "Does he deserve the opportunity (to complete for a starting spot)? No question about it. He deserves the opportunity, and we'll see where that goes." Sparano would like to see Miami's vertical passing game make strides, and Henne's deep ball needs work, according to the coach. "When you get the green light, you've got to make the plays, and Chad will tell you that," Sparano said.

Bill Parcells is no longer affiliated with the Dolphins and will tape a draft special for ESPN. Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene said Thursday "he's not associated with the team anymore in any official capacity." Parcells turned control of Miami's football operations over to GM Jeff Ireland shortly before last season.

The Miami Dolphins will hold a private workout with Auburn quarterback Cam Newton this weekend, a source with knowledge of the situation said Wednesday. Following his workout with Miami's staff, the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner will travel to Buffalo for interviews with the Bills' brass, according to the source.

Five NFL teams have been fined or been told the league is investigating them for violating offseason rules prohibiting contact with players. Commissioner Roger Goodell did not reveal the teams involved, but NFL general counsel Jeff Pash confirmed to the Palm Beach Post that the Dolphins were one of the five. Miami quarterback Chad Henne told reporters last month he had been meeting with new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll to go over the playbook and strategies. Pash said the violations aren't related to the league's lockout of players, which began March 12. Even during normal offseasons, from the end of one season until around March 15, NFL rules bar teams from holding organized workouts, practice or meetings, and don't allow position coaches to supervise players. Since the lockout began, no contact between the league's 32 clubs and players has been allowed. Players don't get paid and can't negotiate new contracts; they aren't allowed to use team facilities.

The Bengals, Dolphins and Vikings will meet with Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallet prior to next month's NFL Draft, according to league sources. Some believe that Mallet, who has enjoyed strong workouts, is sneaking into the first round. Cincinnati picks fifth overall, Minnesota has the 12th selection and Miami will go 15th. RealGM's Jeff Risdon has Mallet going 10th to Washington in his latest mock draft.